Chapter 784: Why Shouldn't We Go?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 784: Why Shouldn't We Go?
The Meeting Room
The elders sat huddled together, engaged in a heated debate.
"I’m telling you, we must erect a statue of the Alliance Leader at the main gate of the Uicheon Alliance!"
Gye Sang-deuk continued his argument in a boisterous voice.
"A statue?"
"Is the main gate not the very first place visitors pass through? We must show them the symbolism of our Alliance. We need to remind them exactly what kind of place the Uicheon Alliance is."
Gye Sang-deuk spoke with a broad smile plastered across his face.
"Hmm... Certainly, if that is the intent, erecting a statue isn't a bad idea. After all, the Uicheon Alliance Leader is a great hero who disposed of that hideous demon, Lee Jae-won."
Lee Se-jin began to nod as if he found the logic sound.
It certainly wasn't a bad plan. In fact, it was quite good. The strategy of putting forward Jang Sun-woo—the Greatest of All Time and a grand hero—as a symbol was solid.
What did it mean to be the Greatest Under Heaven? Was it not the ultimate goal that every martial artist yearned for? And what was a hero? Was it not an object of admiration that planted hope and courage in the hearts of the people?
The Uicheon Alliance Leader, Jang Sun-woo, was the perfect embodiment of both.
If they erected a statue of the Alliance Leader as Gye Sang-deuk suggested, it would serve as a powerful promotional tool to the outside world and instill a sense of immense trust. Internally, it would become a source of pride for the members.
For a proposal coming from an old fogey like Gye Sang-deuk, it was surprisingly excellent.
What's gotten into this old man to make him suggest something like this?
Lee Se-jin looked at Gye Sang-deuk with a fresh sense of surprise. Gye Sang-deuk, who usually spouted nothing but archaic nonsense, suddenly seemed different.
"What on earth are you talking about? The Uicheon Alliance Leader?"
Just then, Gye Sang-deuk shot back a question with a look of utter confusion, as if Lee Se-jin were the one talking nonsense.
"Pardon?"
Lee Se-jin looked taken aback. "Weren't you saying we should build a statue of the Uicheon Alliance Leader?" he asked, bewildered.
"No."
Gye Sang-deuk shook his head slightly as he spoke.
"..."
Hearing this, Lee Se-jin fell into a troubled silence. He racked his brain to figure out the man's true intention.
"..."
An awkward silence began to flow between the two. Gye Sang-deuk had also fallen silent. After a long moment of quiet...
"Could it be... that the 'Alliance Leader' you're referring to is..." Lee Se-jin's voice trailed off, his expression filled with doubt.
"Naturally, I am referring to the late Murim Alliance Leader," Gye Sang-deuk replied in a tone that suggested it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What? That's preposterous! Why would we build a statue of the Murim Alliance Leader, who isn't even the leader of the Uicheon Alliance?!"
Upon hearing this, Lee Se-jin cried out in horror, his voice rising. Erecting a statue of the Murim Alliance Leader at the Uicheon Alliance? What kind of utter nonsense was this?
"Now, why are you so appalled?" Gye Sang-deuk asked, looking like he genuinely didn't understand the problem.
"Elder Gye."
Lee Se-jin called out to him with a grave expression.
"What is it?"
"I have a few things to ask you."
"Go ahead."
"Do you perhaps find yourself confusing the date or the day of the week lately?" Lee Se-jin asked with a somber face.
"Hmm... I suppose as I get older, I do get muddled occasionally."
"Do you find it difficult or overwhelming to learn new things?"
"Well, for an old man like me, isn't it only natural to prefer the familiar over the new?"
"Does food taste different to you than it used to?"
"I suppose it's because I'm old, but I can't seem to taste strong flavors as well as I once did."
"...Elder Gye."
After hearing the answers, Lee Se-jin spoke with a heavy heart.
"I believe you've gone senile... You should visit a physician immediately..."
Slap!
At that moment, Gye Sang-deuk swung his hand and struck Lee Se-jin across the cheek.
"You disrespectful brat! Who are you calling senile?!"
Gye Sang-deuk began to roar, his face turning beet red. He was seething with rage at Lee Se-jin for treating him like a senile old man.
"If you haven't gone senile, then why are you talking about putting a statue of the Murim Alliance Leader at the front gate of the Uicheon Alliance?! What does the Murim Alliance Leader have to do with the Uicheon Alliance?!"
Stung by the slap, Lee Se-jin flared up and shouted back.
"Why can't we?! Why can't we?! We can! I say we can! Was the Murim Alliance Leader not a great hero who sacrificed his life for the Murim? What is so wrong with carrying on his will?!"
Gye Sang-deuk's voice grew louder, trembling with excitement. To him, the great hero was the Murim Alliance Leader, the father of Joo So-yang. So why on earth could they not build his statue?
"Carry on what?! Why don't you just go ahead and announce that we're succeeding the Murim Alliance? If we put up a statue of the Murim Alliance Leader, the young martial artists will desert us in droves!"
Lee Se-jin continued, his expression saying this was beyond ridiculous. The Uicheon Alliance had explicitly stated from the beginning that they would not succeed the Murim Alliance. It was a decision made to avoid backlash from the young martial artists who harbored resentment toward the old Murim Alliance.
And yet, out of nowhere, he wanted to build a statue of the Murim Alliance Leader? Unless he was senile, how could he spout such drivel?
"Are you disregarding the chivalry of the Murim Alliance Leader, who stood alone against the armored cavalry?!"
"That's not what I'm saying!"
"If that's not it, then what is it, you bastard?!" Gye Sang-deuk screamed in a fit of rage.
"Building a statue of the Murim Alliance Leader implies that we are indirectly succeeding the Murim Alliance, doesn't it?!"
"It is merely to honor a hero of the Murim!"
"Then instead of the Uicheon Alliance gate, why don't you build it in your own backyard, Elder Gye?"
"You little...!"
Whoosh!
Gye Sang-deuk swung his fist, unable to contain his fury any longer. Lee Se-jin leaned his head back slightly to dodge the punch. He wasn't about to just stand there and take it.
"Oh? You're dodging? You're dodging my fist?!"
Seeing this, Gye Sang-deuk grew even more incensed. He felt that Lee Se-jin was just asking for a beating when he could have ended it by taking one hit.
"Stop hitting me! I am an elder just like you, so why do you treat me like a child?!"
"You're still talking back?!"
Gye Sang-deuk swung his fist again, and Lee Se-jin began to fight back. Soon, the two were locked in a fierce scuffle.
The other elders simply watched them. Since the two were like cats and dogs, growling at each other every time they met, they figured they would eventually tire themselves out.
"Have you put your house on the market?"
"I've already sold it."
"Already?"
"I listed it below the average market price, and it sold in a flash."
"Dear me... Should I lower my price too?"
"It's better for your peace of mind. If rumors about the Uicheon Alliance's relocation spread, you might end up with nothing while trying to save a bit of money."
"I suppose you're right. I'll have to lower my price as well."
The other elders, excluding the two fighting, began to chat amiably.
"By the way, where do you think the Alliance will move?"
"Ideally, somewhere south of the Yangtze River with a high population density, like Jiangxi or Zhejiang. We should go to a somewhat developed city to maintain our dignity."
"I disagree. I think Henan would be better."
"Henan? Isn't that where Shaolin is located? Why would we settle in such a place?"
"Is it not the very heart of the Central Plains? Even if Shaolin is there, they don't interfere much in secular affairs. I think it would be more beneficial to go there."
"Hmm... You have a point."
"I like Shaanxi. Isn't it the most sophisticated place?"
"I'd prefer my hometown, Hubei..."
"Wouldn't Hunan be best?"
The elders began to name their preferred regions, each having a different place in mind.
Creeeeeak.
Suddenly, the doors to the meeting room slowly began to open. Every elder's gaze shifted toward the door—Gye Sang-deuk and Lee Se-jin, who had been brawling; the elders who had been discussing real estate speculation; and those debating the relocation.
And there, they saw him. The leader of the newly launched Uicheon Alliance.
"Thank you all for gathering, Elders."
Sun-woo, the Uicheon Alliance Leader, entered the room and offered a polite greeting.
"Welcome, Alliance Leader."
"We've been waiting, Alliance Leader."
"Good to see you, Alliance Leader."
Welcoming voices rose from all sides. They were quite pleased with Sun-woo's respectful demeanor. Receiving their greetings, Sun-woo walked toward the head of the table.
Thud.
"Then, let us begin the meeting."
He took his seat and spoke slowly, his sharp eyes glinting. The elders' attention focused entirely on him.
*
"I believe you all have an idea of why I've called you here today."
Sun-woo looked around at the elders and continued.
"I have found a location for our relocation."
As Sun-woo spoke with a sharp glint in his eyes, the elders' eyes widened like saucers. They hadn't expected him to scout a location so quickly.
"Fortunately, I was able to find land that meets several excellent conditions."
"Excellent conditions?"
Lee Se-jin asked, his face full of curiosity. He wondered what Sun-woo meant by "excellent conditions."
"Yes. Although the soil is not fertile enough for farming, the land itself is flat and firm, making it very easy to construct buildings. Furthermore, as it is situated along rivers and lakes, I believe we can develop a trade business through water transportation."
"Oho!"
Lee Se-jin let out an exclamation of admiration. The fact that it was easy to build on despite the poor soil, and the potential for water transport, sounded very attractive.
"And above all, the price is cheap. Cheap enough that we can purchase millions of pyeong."
Sun-woo continued with a gentle smile.
"Good, very good! How did you find such a place?!"
Gye Sang-deuk, who had been listening quietly, chimed in with repeated praise.
"I happened to notice it while doing some diligent searching."
"As expected, you aren't just the Greatest Under Heaven in martial arts; your insight is also the best in the world! Hahahaha!"
Gye Sang-deuk burst into a hearty laugh. He was impressed by Sun-woo's insight in finding a place that fit the criteria so perfectly.
A warm atmosphere began to fill the meeting room. Since even the most cantankerous Gye Sang-deuk was laughing, the tension eased significantly.
"So, where exactly is this place?"
Lee Se-jin pressed Sun-woo, his curiosity piqued by the glowing description.
"It is Nanchang."
In response to the question, Sun-woo looked around at the assembly and spoke with a very serious expression.
Whoosh.
"..."
In an instant, the atmosphere in the meeting room plummeted. It grew so cold it felt like a chilling frost had settled over them.
Gye Sang-deuk, who had been laughing heartily, stopped abruptly. The elders who had been wearing satisfied smiles wiped them off instantly. And Lee Se-jin, who had asked the question, fell into a stunned silence.
The word "Nanchang" had sucked the joy right out of the room.
"..."
A heavy silence hung over the meeting hall. No one opened their mouth. After a long while...
"Nan... Nanchang? Do you mean the Nanchang in Jiangxi Province?"
Lee Se-jin asked back with a look of utter bewilderment. He wanted to confirm if he had misheard.
"That is correct."
Sun-woo nodded, confirming it. It was a total kill-shot to their expectations.
"...Are you... out of your mind?" Lee Se-jin stammered, looking dazed.
"I am perfectly sane," Sun-woo replied calmly.
"No, you're insane! How else could you suggest we go to Nanchang?!"
Lee Se-jin's face turned beet red as his voice rose. He simply couldn't believe it.
"Nanchang is nothing but red-light districts and slums!"
Lee Se-jin shouted in outrage. Nanchang was underdeveloped—beyond underdeveloped. It was a place where the poor sold their bodies because they couldn't farm, where unorthodox sects lived by exploiting them, and where corrupt officials collaborated with those very sects. It was a gathering place for the dregs of humanity.
How could they move the noble Uicheon Alliance to such a place? It was just as nonsensical as Gye Sang-deuk's idea of putting a statue of the Murim Alliance Leader at the front gate.
"Why shouldn't we go?"
Sun-woo spoke as he looked at the protesting Lee Se-jin.
"It's a neighborhood where people live, just like any other."
He spoke with an expression that suggested it was no big deal at all.